I'm His

15

Once Ash is gone, I check the locks. And then double check them for good measure. 'He never explained how he got in so quietly...I guess if you're a cop that breaks the rules, you have to be extra good at it.' 

Shaking my head, I retreat to my room and set a chair in front of my door. I'm not exactly sure what has me so paranoid - I doubt anyone other than Ash knows I'm here right now. 'Not like anyone couldn't have robbed the place while it was empty.' But unlike before, I have more ways to defend myself. Getting into my pajamas, I sit on top of my bed, not feeling the least bit tired. "Ash was right." Sitting next to me, Jazlyn tilts her head at the sound of my voice. Gently, I poke her nose, and she twitches back, offended.

"I was trying to think of how to nab my parents because I wanted to avenge myself and all the things they've put me through and then find somewhere else to stay. On some level, I thought - if I just do that, maybe we can wipe the slate clean. But they fled because it wasn't safe for them and left me to suffer the aftermath of their mess. The only reason I was okay was because Chance took me in and offered me protection. I don't think the same threats are facing me now...well, more accurately, I don't think Chance would have let me go if he thought I'd be in danger. Maybe at first, but once he got his head screwed on straight he would have come and grabbed me." I huff irritably and run my hand through my hair. "Literally grab me. And say something rude." 'The big jerk.' But I can't pretend I'm mad for long.

"I still love him. Jazzie, I love him so much I can't stand it." My chest aches painfully, bitter tears welling up behind my tightly closed eyelids. "Ash said I could go back. Do you think he meant it?" Jazlyn woofs softly. "Yeah, good point." I roll over onto my side and cuddle up next to Jazlyn. She doesn't complain, licking my cheek once as if to soothe me. 'They're dangerous. They're not good guys. But that was the only place that truly accepted me...after my own family broke even further apart and abandoned me. I knew it would come to this one day, but I expected it to be me that disappeared from them without a trace.' "And I left them when they needed me most..." When Chance was scared and angry, when Hideyoshi was hurt. And I left without a word of goodbye or warning. 'I'm no better than my parents. Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the rotten tree...' I laugh bitterly, but I steel my resolve. "...I have to go back." I'm miserable without Chance. Without the rest of the gang. Maybe they'll throw me back out on my ass if I show up. And I'll know I deserved it. But I have to at least try. "Let's try to catch a cab early in the morning, Jazzie..." With that thought restlessly circling around my head, I fall into a fitful sleep that I haven't had since I left this house.

~~

Returning home is easier than I could have expected. The gate codes are all the same, and when I step through the front entrance, nothing bars the path. Jazlyn snakes past me, loping inside and to the kitchen, her favorite spot. I hang around the entrance, uncomfortable in my own skin. "Hello?" I nearly face palm myself at my stupidity. 'What the hell am I doing? They won't hear me from here.' This is silly. I can just look for them myself. But the idea of wandering the mansion and just bumping into one of them makes me nervous beyond words. I can't help the way my hands tremble as I pull out my phone, sending out a mass text. 'Is anyone home?' Almost at once, I get four responses, one right after the other, telling me where they are.

In the living room, I find everyone except Chance crowded around the TV. One of Marcus's shows is playing. Jazlyn had found her way here as well, sitting at Ash's feet. Hideyoshi is laid up, covered in bandages but waving frantically at me when I walk in. "Adrian! I missed you, prince!" The general attitude is one of relief and joy; all the anxiety in my chest washes away at the sight of all of them, smiling hugely at me.